Getting to the bottom of things, the nitty-gritty, the base issue – that’s what the root chakra represents.

What’s at the root of our lives?

SAFETY

SECURITY

HUMAN TOUCH

SHELTER

FOOD

CLOTHING

How do we often get these things? Initially (or rather, hopefully) we get them from our parents or original caretakers. But not always. Sometimes we have to wait until we’re grown up and go get them for ourselves.

They are the basic life necessities that build the foundation from which we operate.

We can function without some of them at times or with them barely being met – think of all the starving artists throughout history that have produced unparalleled works of art from experiencing periods in their lives that had stark living conditions (VanGogh, Rembrandt, Dickens, Warhol, J.K. Rowling).

Often the lack of basic needs being met inspired masterpieces that in turn became the very sources of root chakra fulfillment, producing enough income to provide for all of the basic needs and then some. While this didn’t always happen and some still died penniless, either way the creative works manifested as a result of the impact to the root chakra. When our basic security is confronted we go into fight or flight response, and the fight for artistic expression was fueled by unfortunate and/or uncomfortable circumstances.

Imagine all of the masterpieces throughout history that were never created because the artists were too sated. What you would do or change in your life if your security became threatened enough to provoke you?

It’s natural to desire and even require manifestations of root chakra energy – and also to bemoan a lack of them. Not having things we want or need can be one of the biggest motivators for getting them. Just be careful to notice that when you become overly aggressive or overly depressed, it may be linked to feeling your foundation is insecure or crumbling. That’s a sign it’s time to balance your root chakra either within itself or in relation to other chakras.

Some of the ways you can balance the root chakra include drumming with a low-resonating drum or listening to bass beat drumming; walking or hiking; going barefoot more often; spending time outdoors; meditating; yoga; sitting still with no distractions until you can relax; touching others on the shoulder, hugging, shaking hands, and allowing the same friendly yet non-sexual physical contacts in return; taking longer, slower, and deeper breaths; consciously appreciating the material things in your life; use a cash-only budget.

Your root chakra is your power base – it’s the energetic center of you feeling grounded in your life. Some of us have security, safety, human touch, shelter, food, and clothing handed to us on a silver platter. Some of us work our asses off and make it happen for ourselves, and some of us won’t ever connect with those things in a given lifetime.

It’s possible to own nothing and feel whole, or own everything and feel empty – because the energy behind the root chakra, like any other energy, is not simply defined by the seen and tangible. It is also defined by how we feel, how we think, and how we perceive in intangible ways. Defining “grounded” for you may be having the freedom to be unencumbered by material possessions but feel deeply connected with Earth energy through nature.

“There is a road in the hearts of all of us, hidden and seldom traveled, which leads to an unkown, secret place. The old people came literally to love the soil, and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of being close to a mothering power. Their teepees were built upon the earth and their altars were made of earth. The soil was soothing, strengthening, cleansing and healing. That is why the old Indian still sits upon the earth instead of propping himself up and away from its life giving forces. For him, to sit or lie upon the ground is to be able to think more deeply and to feel more keenly. He can see more clearly into the mysteries of life and come closer in kinship to other lives about him.”